Puppy Proofing 101
Superhero: Millie the Destroyer
Villian: The Terrible Teepee
Human Error:
Forgetting to shut the bathroom door…
Bringing home a new puppy or dog is SO exciting, don’t forget to prepare so that you are ready for all that’s yet to come (house training, leash training, behavior training, potty training, vet and hygiene maintenance, and etc.)! One of the top things on your list of “things to do” before you bring your new friend home is puppy proof your home.
Before we got Mila, we did a walk-through of our home to make sure there wasn’t anything that could obviously harm her. That meant putting away any potentially dangerous, loose or small objects that were on the floor or at her eye level - things we might not usually see from our vantage point but she definitely would.
We tucked away things such as the router, wires to the TV, and more.
All small objects near ground level were placed in a basket.
Shoes were put in the closet or in a shoe cabinet
Doors to bedrooms, bathrooms, and closets were shut if the room was not actively being used.
Gates were put up to keep her out of certain areas but still allow her some freedom to roam in a supervised manner
Play pens were used when we were cooking and couldn’t keep an eye on her the entire time.
We did our best to manage our situation and prevent injury to our pup and also damage to our belongings… Even with all the preparation, somehow the combination of human error and the curiosity of a puppy will still occasionally cause you to find a surprise every now and then.
Just remember, we have the ability and power to control the environment we live in and share with our companions. If they get into something, we can’t be mad at them for something they don’t understand. We can only learn from the experience and move forward.
If they chewed up all of your toilet paper - did you shut the door to the bathroom?
If they chewed a hole through the drywall in the living room apartment which you did not own - were you actively supervising them to prevent that from happening?
If they chewed up 4 pair of shoes (but only the left foot!) - did you put them away in the closet?
If they chewed up important records in your home office - did they turn the door knob all by themselves to get in?
You get the point!
Part of being a good dog means having a good human to help sets them up for success. Once they grow out of the puppy-phase and learn what belongs to them and what is off limits - the active monitoring will dial down and you will be able to trust them more and more on their own.
Superhero: Kona the KooKoo
Villain: Lieutenant Sofa
Human Error:
We heard her chewing on something and thought it was one of her million boneys… Turns out Kona was trying out a new delicacy!
Here is a quick list of some of the things we found helpful to start with when ensuring your pup's safety and your peace of mind:
Clean up: Find a home for all of your belongings so they are out of sight. If your dog can see it, reach it, chew on it - they will
Cord Control: Hide or secure electrical cords to prevent chewing.
Trash Management: Invest in dog-proof trash cans to avoid scavenging.
Toxic Plants: Remove any poisonous houseplants from your pup's reach.
Gate Off-Limits Areas: Use gates to block access to rooms or areas that aren't puppy-friendly.
Store Small Objects: Small items like toys, socks, and coins can be choking hazards.
Chew Toys: Provide plenty of safe chew toys to redirect their chewing instinct.
Puppy-Proof Furniture: Cover furniture corners and edges to protect both your pup and your belongings.
Secure Cupboards: Lock away any potentially harmful substances (chemicals, cleaning supplies, sharp objects, etc.).
Supervise: Always keep an eye on your puppy when they're exploring their new environment.
Remember, creating a safe space for your pup is an ongoing process. Be proactive and adapt as your new friend grows.
Note: In the event that your pup/dog likes to chew hard objects such as walls or furniture, this product helped us out! It’s called Bitter Apple Spray and it helped deter our dogs from chewing on things they shouldn’t chew on. A combination of the spray and providing our dogs with chew toys of various textures and noises helped a lot!
Bitter Apple Spray
